I unfortunately received a letter yesterday denying my application for examination for previous DUI's. I thought I waited long enough to apply, guess not. One was in 6/07 and the other 5/08. Now the... Read More

I just got my letter of denial for licesnsure as an RN. I had a drug conviction, driving on a suspended license, and a disturbing the peace on my record, all of which is over 10 years old. I have over 11 years of sobriety, 240 hours of patient centered volunteer work (which I had earned awards of recognition), graduated RN program with honors, and have been working as CNA for about one year. I did all that was required of me when applying for licensure, such as get letters of character, certified court papers, letter of explanation, proof of rehabilitiation, etc...I graduated Dec. 2011 and just now got my letter of rejection. I am devasted.I know I have made some serious errors in my life, but I also know that I am a different person today.

Moving forward, I am planning on hiring a nurse attorney...

Hi nitenurse4ever, I am currently debating whether or not I should pursue a BSN. I have a midemeanor battery charge from when I was a juvenile (14 years). I recently got a livescan done to see what would show up and my charge does come up. It has been 6 years since my arrest/charge and by the time I graduate nursing school it will have been 8 years. I thought that was a safe amount of time but after seeing your story I'm not so sure.

I can't believe they would deny you for charges that are over 10 years old. I know from experience that so much has changed since I got arrested and I would never dream of making the same mistake again. It's such a shame that the board can't see that.

Do you know know of any nurse attorneys who I might be able to talk to about my case? And also, please keep us updated with what happens.
I really don't know what to do anymore. Should I take the chance? Or not....

Hello tiredmommy... right now as it stands, I will be appealing the decision of the BRN to deny my license knowing that I will be lucky to have a restricted license at the end of the journey...which will make it even harder (and currently it is already PLENTY hard to get hired as a new grad nurse) to get a job...Honestly, had I known what was in store for me from the beginning, I may not have pursued my AA in nursing. I would have chosen something else in the medical field that does not have anything to do with passing out meds,as this seems to be their biggest beef with me. I will tell you though, that nursing school was a HUGE sacrifice, not just for me, but my family as well...and judging by your name, you have a family as well. I spent 5 years getting my AA 3 of which I went to school part time due to having a family...and the 2 years in the program was nothing short of hellish..and at the end of it all, after 10+years of being clean and sober, graduating Magna Cum Laude, etc, the best thing I can hope for is a restricted license with a couple years of probabtion...and worst case scenario is...well... NO license at all.
I hope that in 5 years I can say, "Yeah it was worth it", but as it stands currently, I do not know.
In hindsight, maybe I should have gone with Physical Therapy, or Respiratory Therapy, or something like that...
(Also though, may I add that I am in California, and here, I have been told by many attorneys, the Board of Registered Nurses is very strict.)
At any rate, what I would do if I were you is to talk to an attorney before you make a decision. There is a website that lists nurse attorneys..I would definitely use that resource. It is called the American Association of Nurse Attorneys. It is easy to search for a referral from there.
Good luck!

hey callt84 it happen to me samething but i was able to retake the exam after i told them i dnt want to appeal, then few weeks later i got reexamination letter i failed and the 3rd time i think i pass coz of the pop up then i got the letter saying my application denied.

Hey! nothing yet, i just sent them a letter to set up a hearing/ or request to reckoning the date of my reapply, instead of sept.2012 to sept.2013 i asked them if they can make it feb 2013 because the date i got my reexamination was feb 2012 and also i was mislead to believe i take my nclex twice. It's jus strange how i was able to take the test twice after that incident when i thought they decided to let me retake, and now theyr denying my application when i just took my test. Usually i read some threads where people get denied due to an issue or background and had to clear it up before they get their ATT and sit to take the nclex. How about you?whats going on?

Hello guys! Although I do NOT have this issue, I did have a similar one over 20 or 30 years ago! However, over time, these types of things are removed from your record. However, you can also ASK that they be purged, or whatever the terminology is. I think you have to actually go through a process to do that (at least in some states I guess) and once you do that, it will no longer show up on your record. So, no matter how OLD it is, if it is still THERE, you will probably be denied. This is my understanding. So, check into it! Hope this helps!

I got an associate degree in nursing. I have been an LPN for 17 years. I got a DUI in 2010 and completed everything that was required to get off of probation. I graduated from Ashland University in Texas. I want to sit for my nclex-rn but the board tells me that is not an approved school of nursing. Two things, will the dui keep me from taking my boards and will tn let me apply for my boards? Anyone been in this situation before?